Rachel Amphlett, a fellow author I originally met via Authonomy, recently tagged
me for a 'chain' blog entitled 'The Next Big Thing'. The general concept is I answer
a few questions about my current work-in-progress, and then I invite a number of
other authors to do the same thing. A bit like a chain letter, except it is only
focussed on an author’s work-in-progress. Rachel was tagged previously by David Thornby
and I've included details of their blogs so you can explore their answers to the
very same questions. The authors I’ve chosen have, along with David and Rachel, been
tagged below my answers. So without further ado, let’s get some questions answered:

What is the working title of your next book?

Operation Stonehenge

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It’s a natural progression from my debut novel, The Pyramid Legacy, where I intentionally
left a number of loose ends still flapping around . . . which get tied down in Operation
Stonehenge. As soon as I found a clear link between the Great Pyramid at Giza, and
a collection of standing stones in the middle of a field in south-west England, I
knew another novel was on its way.

What genre does your book fall under?

It’s one of those books which, like The Pyramid Legacy, doesn’t neatly just fit into
one genre, but stretches across several. It’s very much a blend of thriller, sci-fi
and mystery criss-crossing through every chapter of the story.

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Here we go again, the Hollywood dream. (If any film directors/producers are reading
this, both books were intentionally written with the big screen in mind – he says
tongue firmly in cheek.) The one key character in both books is Doctor Ben Anderson,
a very reluctant hero. Ben is not your typical archetypal muscle-bound, ex-special
forces, all action hero. Oh no. He is sooo far removed from those types. My wife
thinks Ewan McGregor would play the role well, and I can’t fault her logic. (No offence
Ewan.) Two other key characters, who appear in both books, are Drs Samantha Gibson,
and Katy Munroe. Sam, although slightly older, has a Megan Fox look about her (well
at least I think so) and Ali Larter, providing she can pull off a Midlothian Scottish
accent, would make a great Katy.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

What, like answer this question Twitter style? The evidence is unquestionable -
The architects of The Great Pyramid and Stonehenge were related! (Less than 140 characters
and not a hash-tag in sight.)

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

At the moment the choices are self-publish or . . . sorry, what was the question
again?

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I’m hoping to get it finished by the summer (notice the lack of reference to a specific
year.) From start to finish the manuscript should take about 12 months – and yes
I have started . . . about the middle of 2013 is the genuine target.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

That is the most difficult of all these questions, as it doesn’t have a specific
genre. Perhaps that is why agents are steering clear at the moment, as it can’t
be neatly pigeon-holed. The story is set in the near future, after the destruction
of the Internet, and links a number of seemingly disparate historical locations together.
Perhaps it fits into the sub-genre made popular by The Da Vinci Code, but with a
sci-fi twist.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The inspiration behind The Pyramid Legacy first came from an experiment carried out
in the Great Pyramid of Giza by a German engineer - Rudolph Gantenbrink. Since his
attempt others have tried, but have been unsuccessful in peering behind some secret
doors within The Great Pyramid. That started the writing process. With regard to
Operation Stonehenge, the inspiration behind that was discovering a measurable link
between Stonehenge and The Great Pyramid.

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Both the debut novel, and Operation Stonehenge, are out and out fiction. However,
I’ve woven a number of facts together with the fiction. The challenge I set for readers
is to identify which is which. Finally, can the reader solve the puzzles Ben Anderson
faces, before he does? (assuming, of course, he in fact does!)